Obituary: Anseth Millington ran church office for decades Obituary: Anseth Millington ran church office for decades (October 19, 2005)

Services for Anseth Teel Millington, who died unexpectedly on October 12, will be held Wednesday, October 19, at 3 p.m. at the Woodside Village Church, 3154 Woodside Road, Woodside. A reception will follow.

Ms. Millington, 74, had just returned from a lunch with a group of people who had been putting together the twice-yearly rummage sale for Woodside Village Church, one of her many volunteer activities, when she collapsed in front of the church office, which she had run for almost 30 years.

She retired in 2003, but continued to be deeply involved in many church and community activities. She had lived in Woodside for 37 years, and for the past three years had been caring for her very ill dear friend, Joan Stiff.

Caring for Ms. Stiff was a gift of love from Ms. Millington, who had herself been cared for by Ms. Stiff through two serious illnesses, encephalitis and a broken back. Although beset by physical problems and wearing a leg brace most of her adult life, Ms. Millington never complained about her ailments and was instead known for her good humor and sense of mischief.

Ms. Millington was born in Fort Worth, Texas, and lived in Texas until leaving for college in New York. She contracted polio on summer vacation and because of it was unable to return to school. She maintained a life-long love for Texas and everything connected to it.

Another of Ms. Millington's loves was her friends, especially the group called the "Inverness Girls," who spend many happy weekends in the Inverness cottage on the Northern California coast owned by Hanna and Larry Wenrick. The group, which in addition to Hanna included Dee Carlsen, Dolores Degnan, Joan Stiff and Barbara Tagg, also tried to have dinner together at least once a month.

She was involved in the Woodside Community Theatre and had been honored as Woodside's Citizen of the Year.

Ms. Millington is survived by her five children, Dr. Robert Edward Millington of Penn Valley, Elaine Millington Van Grinsven of Santa Rosa, George Henry Millington Jr. of Paso Robles, Scott Teel Millington of Manhattan Beach, and Anseth (A.J.) Millington Peak of Santa Clara; their spouses; and six grandchildren. Her husband, George, died in 1994.

Ms. Millington loved to brag about and spoil her children and grandchildren.

All five children attended Woodside Elementary School and Woodside High School after the family moved to Woodside in 1968. Their Cedar Lane home, just a few blocks from the elementary school, was a gathering spot for Woodside children.

"The front door was literally always open," says daughter A.J.

Ms. Millington kept a drawer full of candy and a refrigerator full of soda, and all were invited to dig in.

"It was the greatest house to hang out in," says son Robert.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to the Woodside Village Church.

-- Barbara Wood

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